FUNDING YOUR PROGRAM How do you make it all happen?

First Step: PROJECT PLANNING How to plan your project and make your partnership work...

Identify the Problem Is it a physical need? Is it a staffing need? Is it an educational need? Define the nature of the problem -

Assess the Problem Who does the problem affect? A community? A watershed? Is it a statewide problem? National/global? How are they affected?

Identify the Causes Why does this problem occur? w Is a resource unavailable? Materials equipment w Are additional skills needed? w Is communication limited?

Address the Problem w Will a partnership solve or significantly improve the situation? w Are there other members in the community who face the same problem? w Do prospective partners have a reason to participate?

Develop Project Goals w How will the partners address the problem? w What outcomes would you like from this project? w How will the improved situation benefit your target group?

Evaluating your Project w How will you know if your project was successful? w How will you determine if your methods worked?

BUDGET: What do you need to address the problem? w Goods and supplies w Equipment w Labor w Technical assistance w Office space w Professional development opportunities

Do You Need a Grant Proposal? w Do you have the talent and materials within your partnership to complete the project? w Could your problem be addressed by having local vendors provide materials or make other contributions? [New partners!] w Could a community fundraiser fulfill your needs? If you answered yes to any of these questions … then you may NOT need to write a proposal.

Budget Your Time Make a schedule!!! 80% planning the project 20% writing the proposal

Next Steps 1. Begin researching funding sources - but remember that funders are partners, too 2. Collect materials to write your proposal Your mission/purpose Staff background, skills Budget estimates Project support IRS documentation

Things to Think About - Before Writing w Have a project vision but think specifics: Who are the clients? What is the project purpose? Who is an appropriate funder? What is their budget cycle? Who will be the grantee? Who is eligible?

COMPONENTS OF A PROPOSAL w Executive Summary w Introduction w Problem Statement w Objectives w Methods w Budget w Evaluation

Executive Summary w Previews the proposal w Extracts a bit from each section w Different from the cover letter - part of the proposal

Introduction: Describes the Qualifications of the Applicant and the Partners w Credibility

Problem Statement w Why is this a problem or issue? w Define the scope - localize the problem w Prove the problem or need w Offer examples, quotations w Give the bad result if the problem is not addressed

Objectives : Must be Measurable w How many will be affected? w How much will be provided? w By when?

Methods w How will the project be accomplished? w What is the process? w Who will complete it? w What is the timeline?

Evaluation w Tools that measure success w Review of program delivery w Sharing of new information

Budget: Table and Narrative w Reflects the project description w Must be accurate and add up correctly w Should be reasonable w Should not create more questions

Future Funding w Commitment to the project if not funded now w Community support w Your plan to increase support grassroots informal formal

SHOW ME THE MONEY w How to work with funders w References and resources to find external funding

Remember, Funders Are Partners! w Build a relationship w Be courteous w Respect their time w Know their interests w Discuss opportunities w Follow up

And Partners Like to be Recognized Made possible by grants from the Dasher, Dancer and Vixen Foundations The Chronicle of Philanthropy Joseph A. Brown

Tips for Working with Funders w Grant guidelines and annual reports w telephone or 1-page inquiry letter w Other funders?

Get the Gold Star for... w Coordination w Strong outcomes w Realistic budget w Being brief, well organized, on time w Knowing the funder’s budget cycle w Working with a proofreader

What to Look For w Does your project meet the funder’s interest (purpose/mission)? w Are you an eligible applicant? w Does it support projects in your area? w What size grants does it give (assets)? w What is the application process? w What are the grant criteria?

State Partners w State agencies - grants, programs w Non-governmental organizations w Universities w Cooperating and friends organizations w Individual donors

More State Resources w Corporations - with headquarters or regional offices in your state w Local business associations (e.g., Rotary Club) w Local community organizations

What if we still need money?

Three Types of Grants w Federal w Foundation w Corporate

How do we find Funders?

Federal Grants w Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance w Federal Register w Specialty Catalogs EPA Catalog of Federal Funding Sources for Watershed Protection

Foundations and Corporations $213B in % Individuals 8% Bequests 12% Foundations 4% Corporations Where it goes: 7% environmental and animal 3% science and technology 25% education 65% other Where the money comes from:

References w Foundation Directories w Corporate Funding Directories w Chronicle of Philanthropy

On the Net w Internet Foundation Center Online ( Foundation searches, 990s Learning Center Specialized sites (e.g., w Libraries Foundation Center Collections

What if You Don’t Get the Grant? w Follow up - ask: Any hints to increase success next time? Any other funders recommended? w Don’t burn any bridges

You got the Grant!! Celebrate Yippee!! Yahoo!!

Remember Your Partners w Write thank-you note w Grant agreement w Reporting w Keep in touch It’s really all about building solid relationships.

For more information on how to write grant proposals, check out NCTC’s course: Grantwriting for Conservation Course No. OUT------